Savage Vicious Heir: Part Two: A dark high school bully romance

26. Abigail

ABIGAIL

“See, wasn’t this a good idea?” Tally smiles as she nods at my untouched apple crumble blondie.

“Yeah.” I shove a piece round the plate with my fork, my appetite nowhere to be found.

“You should have come with us last night. It would have taken your mind off?—”

“Please, don’t.” I sigh, pushing my plate away.

After Elliot texted me, I got into bed and watched some trashy romcom, ignoring Tally’s many pleas for me to still go along.

I expected him to message again when I didn’t respond. But he didn’t. He didn’t show his face either.

I hoped it might take my mind off him—off the fact our friends were all out on their group date while I was all alone in my dorm room. Trying desperately to ignore the dark urges simmering under my skin.

I might not be proud of the fact that I let my disappointment ruin what could have been a fun night, but I am proud of the fact that I didn’t give into the little voice whispering that I could make it all go away.

I don’t want to hurt myself.

I don’t.

But I also don’t want Elliot to keep hurting me.

“Maybe this is all pointless,” I blurt, earning me a heavy frown from Tally.

“What is?” she asks warily.

“Me and Elliot,” I whisper his name.

You can never be too sure who’s around. And I wouldn’t put it past any one of the other customers enjoying one or Dessert Island’s delicious bakes to know the Eatons.

“Abs”—pity glitters in her eyes—“don’t say that. He’s crazy about you. Oak won’t stop going on about it.”

I glance away, trying to shove down all the emotion and frustration warring inside me.

“Abi.” Tally lays her hand on mine, coaxing me to look at her. “Elliot will fix this.”

“How can you be so sure?”

I hate the uncertainty in my voice.

Hate that the one person who makes me feel so special, so cherished and seen, can also make me feel so… so horrible.

“Because it’s Elliot. He has girls literally falling at his feet.” I arch a brow and she chuckles. “I’ve seen it happen. More than once. And he’s never cared, not even a little bit. Not until you.”

“But his father?—”

“Is a controlling arsehole by all accounts. But look at Theo. Look at Reese and Oak. Their families are the same. He’ll figure it out, I know he will. You just have to trust him.”

“I want to, I do.”

“Do you love him?” I press my lips together and give her a small shy nod. “Then it’s worth fighting for, Abs. He’s worth fighting for.”

Something about her words give me pause. I’ve been so fixated on being Elliot’s secret that I haven’t really considered how hard all of this might be on him.

But how do I fight for him?

When it’s his family that holds all the power?

Tally insists we spend the day together, browsing the quaint shops of Saints Cross. I humour her attempt at distracting me because the truth is, I don’t trust myself to go back to my empty dorm room and not do something stupid.

“Still nothing?” she asks, glancing at my phone in my hand.

“Nope.”

“I’m sure he’ll text you later.”

I want to ask if Oakley knows anything. But I don’t.

“Are you sure I can’t tempt you into girls’ night at the Chapel?”

“Can you really call it girls’ night if the boys are there?” My brows lift.

“Well, no, but we have endless fun torturing them with our choice of films and pamper routines.”

“I think I’m going to call it an early night. But thank you, for today.”

“Of course. I’m here for you, Abs. We all are. Even the boys.”

I’m not sure about that but I appreciate the sentiment.

The Bronte Building comes into view and I give her a hug. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?—”

“I’ll be okay,” I rush out. “Enjoy girls’ night.”

I take off towards the building and hurry inside, hoping to avoid anyone who might be hanging around the communal areas.

I can’t shake Tally’s words.

Maybe she’s right.

Maybe I’m not fighting hard enough for him.

For us.

As soon as I’m in my room, I’ll text him. I’ll text him and?—

I draw up short when I reach my door.

My slightly ajar door.

I know I didn’t leave it open, which can only mean one thing.

Warmth spreads through me as I push it open. “Elliot.” I smile. “I— You.”

My stomach tumbles and my world narrows on the man standing at my window.

“Hello, Miss Bancroft,” he turns slowly and gives me a predatory smile. “I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Johnathon. Johnathon?—”

“Eaton,” I finish, a trickle of unease sliding down my spine. “How did you get in here?”

He arches a brow, studying me as if I’m a puzzle he can’t quite solve.

Ignoring my question, he levels me with a bland look. “I thought it was time you and I had a little chat.”

“Does Elliot know you’re here?”

“I thought Judge Bancroft’s daughter would have more sense than that.”

Heat stains my cheeks, but I can’t help but feel nervous.

He clearly isn’t here to make nice.

“What do you want, Mr Eaton? I have a lot of coursework to catch up on.”

“Do you?”

My room suddenly closes in around me as he paces before me, hands clasped behind his back.

He’s so different to Elliot and yet, there’s a familiarity I can’t deny. A cold ruthlessness that I’ve seen his son level towards more than one student at All Hallows’.

“I have it on good authority that you won’t be taking your A Levels this year. That you are, in fact, deferring.”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business, do you?”

He stops pacing and steps towards me, looming over me like a predator. But I stand my ground, trying my best to ignore the warning bells ringing in my head.

“Elliot is my son. There are certain expectations I have about his future.”

“I am well aware of the expectations you have for your son, Mr Eaton.” The words tumble out before I can stop them.

He runs a hand over his cleanly shaven jaw. Everything about him is immaculate. From the perfectly tailored, expensive suit he’s wearing to his coiffed salt and pepper hair. The man emanates wealth and power.

His presence should terrify a girl like me, and it does.

But it also stirs something inside me.

“So you’re not denying it then? Your relationship with Elliot?”

“Is there any point?”

He wouldn’t be here unless he knew about us.

The cat is out of the bag. What I don’t know is if Elliot finally told him or he found out another way.

The fact I’m yet to hear from Elliot suggests the latter.

The knot in my stomach twists and turns.

“I would think a girl like you realises how much she stands to lose, Miss Bancroft. Especially after you’ve lost so much already.”

The threat hangs between, making me suck in a sharp breath.

“Have you talked to Elliot?” I ask quietly, my heart beating so fast I feel a little light-headed.

I’m not good at this. At talking to powerful men and trying to stand my ground.

I’m used to wilting; to shrinking into the shadows where it’s safe.

But it’s Elliot.

My Elliot.

“My son is none of your concern. I know money will not sway your decision to do the right thing here, your father saw to that.”

“Do not bring my father into this,” I seethe, shaking with frustration. And anger.

Because I realise now, I am angry.

Angry at a man who values money and status above all else. A man who rules his family with an iron fist.

“Scott is right. The little mouse does have some bite. Still, I’m sure you can appreciate that I cannot allow your relationship with my son to continue. Elliot needs a strong woman to stand by his side. A woman who understands the rules of our world. Someone who can weld her beauty and desirability. Someone like Lauren Winrow who can continue the legacy of the Eaton family.

“He doesn’t need to be with someone with your… issues.”

My issues?

What is he?—

“Mental illness is a dreadful thing. And it’s no surprise that you’re so unstable given everything that has happened. But I simply cannot allow my son to get pulled into your mess. It is not?—”

“Stop, please… stop.” I run my hand along my clavicle, the world crumbling at my feet.

He knows.

Somehow he knows.

“That is exactly what I’m here to ask of you, Miss Bancroft.” He pins me with a hard look. “Break it off with my son. Stay away from him and his friends. It’s a few more weeks and he’ll be gone from All Hallows’. Off to start the next chapter of his life. To fulfil his duties as my son.”

“And if I won’t do it?” I fail to hide the tremor in my voice.

His eyes flash with venom as he folds his hands in front of him.

“Then unfortunately, I’ll have no choice to ensure that everyone learns who Judge Bancroft’s daughter really is.”

Isuck in a ragged breath as I knock on the Chapel door, waiting.

“Abi.” It swings open and relief floods me. “What happened?” Oakley stares at me with concern.

“Elliot,” I rush out. “Is he here?”

“He’s… Yeah, come in.”

I follow him inside, unsurprised to find Reese, Theo, and the girls all hanging out.

“Abs?” Tally jumps up and comes over. “What’s going on?”

“Elliot, I need?—”

“What happened?” he appears and stalks towards me, his eyes flaring with intensity.

“Your… Your father…”

“What did he do?”

“I… He came to my dorm. He… He threatened me.”

Somebody mutters, “Shit,” under their breath. But I don’t break eye contact with Elliot.

I can’t.

I already know my decision.

“Tell me exactly what he said.”

“He said that if I don’t break things off and stay away from you, he’ll make sure everyone finds out about my… issues.”

“Issues? What do you—” His entire face blanches, the blood draining away.

I nod, confirming what he’s already figured out. “He knows, Elliot. He knows things about me. I don’t know how but he sounded pretty confident about it.”

His eyes shutter and I’m not at all surprised when he opens them again and I find that cold indifferent mask pulled right over his expression.

“I’ll fix it. I’ll go over there right now and?—”

“No,” I say.

“No? But he threatened you, Abi. He?—”

“I don’t care, Elliot.” I step forward, taking his hand in mine. “I’m not going to walk away from this, from you.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying.” He tries to pull away, a rare glimpse of panic in his eyes. But I hold firm, silently pleading with him to meet me halfway.

All this time Elliot has been so caught up in wanting to protect me, to avoid this very situation, I didn’t consider how losing me would impact him.

“I do,” I offer him a small smile. “I know exactly what I’m saying. I choose you, Elliot. I don’t care what your father does, I don’t care what rumours he spreads, or stories he tells about me. I love you.

“I love you, and I’m not going anywhere.”